Many practitioners don’t typically get into situations where they need to use their martial arts against real-life violence. However, our training can still be extremely protective in our lives. Here are ten serious dangers that your training may safeguard you from . . .
Here are some ideas borrowed from organisational risk management – see if they can apply to your own martial arts journey . . .
“Budō Inochi” reader Jamie writes (via the brilliant Google + Martial Arts Forums): “What is the difference between Martial Arts and hand-to-hand combat such as Krav Maga)? I sense a Martial Art to have a meaningful/spiritual purpose? Whereas, Krav Maga is a practical function and if there is anything spiritual it would be the resolve of the practitioner. I am considering studying true/real Martial Arts for several reasons […]”
“Once there was a swordsman who thought to himself: I’ve been deeply resolved in this Way and have practiced for many years. Still, I have not yet learned its deepest secrets or got to the heart of it. I should go into the mountains, meet with the demons, and carry on the highest laws of the Way . . .”
On investing in “experiences” over “things” . . .
If you haven’t seen it yet, you might be tempted to dismiss “Moana” as just a fluffy “Disney Princess” movie. But popular children’s stories can express human truths in powerful ways; and the themes this tale explores are very familiar to many of us who train in the martial arts:
– Who am I?
– Is there more to life than what I see around me?
– Am I being selfish to focus so much on my own personal development . . . ?
Can martial arts training open us to the insights that constitute the Buddhist path – which when realised turn the practitioner toward non-attachment, compassion, and innate kindness . . . ?
More and more, I see how learning a martial art can educate us – far beyond just learning to punch and kick . . .
As a training tool, sparring has loads of physical / technical benefits.
But according to Professor Janet (Jay) O’Shea – who is both an academic and a martial arts practitioner – sparring has all kinds of sociopsychological benefits too.
Here are five key points from a lecture she gave on this last week . . .